Continuous casting installation equipped with mold support pivotable out of a casting position

ABSTRACT

A continuous casting installation equipped with a mold support pivotable about a horizontal axis upwardly out of a casting position, a mold is guided at the mold support in the direction of its axis. The connecting rod of an oscillation drive anchored at the frame is hingedly connected with an oscillation lever mounted at the mold support and engaging with the mold. The hinge connection of the oscillation lever and connecting rod is arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support that during upward rocking of the mold support the pivotal movement of the oscillation lever which is dependent upon the momentary standstill position of the mold within the oscillation stroke is located relative to the mold support within the range of the oscillation stroke of the mold.

United States Patent 1 1 Bollig et al.

[ 1 CONTINUOUS CASTING INSTALLATION EQUIPPED WITH MOLD SUPPORT PIVOTABLE OUT OF A CASTING POSITION.

[75] Inventors: George Bollig, Meerbusch; Klaus Brock, Dusseldorf; Alfred Niendorf, Glehn, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft, Dusseldorf, Germany [22] Filed: 1, June 7,1974

[2]] Appl. No.: 477,133

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 9 1973 Germany 2329561 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,782,446 1/1974 Walter 1. 164/260 June 3, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 447,489 5/1968 Switzerland e. 164/260 Primary ExaminerRobert D. Baldwin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT A continuous casting installation equipped with a mold support pivotable about a horizontal axis upwardly out of a casting position, a mold is guided at the mold support in the direction of its axis. The connecting rod of an oscillation drive anchored at the frame is hingedly connected with an oscillation lever mounted at the mold support and engaging with the mold. The hinge connection of the oscillation lever and connecting rod is arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support that during upward rocking of the mold support the pivotal movement of the oscillation lever which is dependent upon the momentary standstill p osition of the mold within the oscillation stroke is located relative to the mold support within the range of the oscillation stroke of the mold.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATEN 1973 3,886, 995 SHEET 3 CONTINUOUS CASTING INSTALLATION EQUIPPED WITH MOLD SUPPORT PIVOTABLE OUT OF A CASTING POSITION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a continuous casting installation or plant of the type equipped with a mold support or carrier which is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis upwardly out of a casting position, a mold being movably guided at the mold support in the direction of its lengthwise axis, and a connecting rod of an oscillation drive anchored at a frame is hingedly connected with an oscillation lever mounted at the mold support and engaging with the mold.

According to a state-of-the-art construction of continuous casting installation the oscillation lever which engages with the mold is hingedly connected at a flexed lever arm with a horizontally arranged connecting rod of an oscillation drive. In order to upwardly rock the mold support out of the casting position the hinge connection between the lever am and the connecting rod must be disconnected each time and after pivoting back the mold support such hinge connection must again be re-established. Not only is this work extremely time-consuming but the operating personnel, especially following metal breakout, is exposed to the effects of the pronounced heat and the danger of accidents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of continuous casting installation equipped with a mold support pivotable out of the casting position and not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art proposals.

Another and more specific object of the present invention aims at reducing the loss in time during the inspection, repair and exchange operations occurring during the operation of a continuous casting plant.

A further object of the invention is especially directed to eliminating the need to disconnect the connecting rod-hinge connection during upward rocking or pivoting of the mold support.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become morereadily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates that the hinge connection of the oscillation lever with the connecting rod is arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support that during upward rocking or pivoting of the mold support the pivotal movement of the oscillation lever relative to the mold support, and which pivotal movement is dependent upon the momentary standstill position of the mold within the oscillation stroke, is located in the range of the oscillation stroke of the mold. In this way there is compensated the relative movement of the oscillation lever brought about by the eccentricity of the hinge point with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support, by means of a movement of the mold within its guide range or region. The cumbersome disconnection of the hinge or pivot connection for upwardly rocking the mold support is no longer required. This can be attained, with the hinge connection of the connecting rod arranged within the spacing of the pivot axis of the mold support and the pivot axis of the oscillation lever, in that the oscillation stroke of the connecting rod-hinge connection is located above the pivot axis of the mold support. During upward rocking of the mold support the pivot motion of the connecting rodhinge connection is corrected by the connecting rod in the direction of the pivot axis of the mold support, so that the compensation movement of the mold occurs in the direction of its central position.

The same effect can be attained with the connecting rodhinge connection arranged externally of the spacing between the hinge or pivot axis of the mold support and the pivot axis of the oscillation lever in that the oscillation stroke of the connecting rod-hinge connection extends beneath the pivot axis of the mold support.

However, the connecting rod of the oscillation drive also can be hingedly connected at the oscillation lever in such a way that the hinge or pivot axis is located in an intermediate position, preferably the central position of the oscillation lever, coaxially with respect to the pivot axis of the mold table. This arrangement advantageously can be operated in a manner that the oscillation stroke can be stopped in the coaxial position of the connecting rod-hinge point and the pivot axis of the mold table, so that any relative movement of the hinge connection during upward rocking of the mold support is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a continuous casting installation with a mold support or carrier depicted in the casting position and also showing in phantom lines the mold support in its upwardly rocked position;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment wherein the hinge or pivot connection for the connecting rod is located at the outside;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment wherein the hinge connection for the connecting rod is located at the inside; and

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the hinge connection of a connecting rod which travels through the pivot axis of the mold support during the oscillation stroke.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, it is to be understood that only enough of the structure of the continuous casting plant or installation has been conveniently shown in the drawings to enable those skilled in the art to readily understand the underlying concepts of this development. Hence, in FIG. 1 it will be seen that at the support or carrier frame 1 of the therein illustrated continuous casting installation, typically for the casting of molten steel, there is mounted in bearing blocks 4 or the like a mold support or carrier 2 at pivot shafts 3 defining pivot axes. The mold support 2 can be rocked into the depicted phantom line position by means of a cylinder and piston arrangement 5 operating with a pressurized medium. In the casting position the mold support 2 bears by means of the spherical segment 6 upon a bed plate or support plate 7 and is centered by means of a bolt 8 or equivalent structure.

A mold 9 is connected at its top region via a guide rod or link 10 with the mold support 2. At the lower region or bottom portion of the mold 9 the latter is mounted by means of an angle bearing or support 11 upon an oscillation lever 12 which, in turn, is mounted at pivot pins or journals 13 at the mold support 2. In the exemplary embodiment the mold support 2 is located at the outside of the are or curved portion of the strand guide assembly 14, as shown. However, it is to be specifically understood that the invention is also capable of use in conjunction with a mold support arranged at the inside of the arc or curved portion of the strand guide assembly.

A connecting or thrust rod of a mold oscillation drive 16 is hingedly connected at location P with the oscillation lever 12, the oscillation stroke and the eccentricity of the hinge connection or hinge point P with respect to the pivot axis 3 has been shown exaggerated in order to provide a better understanding and clearer illustration for purposes of explanation.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show in principle different arrangements of the hinge point P of the connecting rod 15 at the os cillation lever 12. In these Figures there has only been illustrated for purposes of simplification the relative movement of the hinge or connecting point P with respect to the mold support 2.

Now in FIG. 2 the hinge point P1 of the connecting rod 15 is arranged at the oscillation lever 12 externally of the distance or spacing between the pivot pin 13 and the pivot axis 3. The oscillation range of the hinge point P1 is located beneath the pivot axis 3. The hinge point P1 is illustrated in the lowest position of the oscillation stroke corresponding to the highest mold position. During upward rocking or pivoting of the mold support 2 the hinge point P1, in accordance with its eccentricity with respect to the pivot axis 3, would migrate or travel along the phantom-line illustrated arc towards the location P1. Due to the rigid connecting rod 15 the hinge point P1 is in fact guided along the full-line arc towards the location P1. Due to the distance a of the are there results a relative movement a of the oscillation lever 12 and the mold 9 with respect to the mold support 2 within the oscillation stroke in the direction of the central position and back again. As long as the upward rocking movement of the mold support is the same or smaller than the arc Pl-Pl' there does not occur any movement of the mold beyond the oscillation stroke.

In FIG. 3 the hinge point P2 of the connecting rod 15 at the oscillation lever 12 is arranged within the distance between the pivot or hinge pin 13 and the pivot axis 3. The oscillation range of the hinge point P2 is located above the pivot axis 3. During upward rocking or pivoting the hinge point P2 is guided by means of the connecting rod 15 along the full-line arc towards P2. In contrast to the unaffected are illustrated in phantomlines and defined by the eccentricity, also in this case there is present a relative movement a of the oscillation lever 12 and the mold 9 with respect to the mold support within the oscillation stroke.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention wherein the connecting rod hinge P3, during its oscillation stroke H, migrates or wanders through the pivot axis 3 of the mold support 2. For upwardly rocking the mold support 2 the oscillation drive 16 is brought to standstill in either position 21 or 22 where the hinge point P3 is located coaxially with respect to the pivot axis 3. In this position, during upward rocking of the mold support 2, there does not occur any relative movement between such mold support and the oscillation lever 12.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A continuous casting installation comprising a mold support, means for mounting the mold support to be upwardly pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis out of a casting position, a mold guided in the direction of its lengthwise axis at the mold support, a frame, an oscillation drive anchored at said frame, said oscillation drive including a connecting rod, an oscillation lever operatively engaging with the mold, means for pivotably mounting the oscillation lever at the mold support for pivotable movement about a pivot axis, said connecting rod being hingedly connected with the os cillation drive, means providing a hinge connection of the oscillation lever with the connecting rod and arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support that during upward rocking of the mold support the pivotal movement of the oscillation lever relative to the mold support, and which pivotal movement is dependent upon the momentary standstill position of the mold within the oscillation stroke, is located within the range of the oscillation stroke of the mold.

2. The continuous casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinge connection of the connecting rod with the oscillation lever is arranged within the spacing between the pivot axis of the mold support and the pivot axis of the oscillation lever, so that the oscillation stroke of the connecting rod-hinge connection is located above the pivot axis of the mold support.

3. The continuous casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinge connection of the connecting rod with the oscillation lever is arranged externally of the spacing between the pivot axis of the mold support and the pivot axis of the oscillation lever, so that the oscillation stroke of the connecting rod-hinge connection extends beneath the pivot axis of the mold support.

4. The continuous casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting rod is hingedly connected at the oscillation lever in such a manner that the hinge connection point of such connecting rod at the oscillation lever during the oscillation stroke travels through the pivot axis of the mold support, and the oscillation drive can be brought to standstill in an intermediate-position corresponding to a substantially coaxial position of said hinge connection point and the pivot axis of the mold support.

a: a a: 

1. A continuous casting installation comprising a mold support, means for mounting the mold support to be upwardly pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis out of a casting position, a mold guided in the direction of its lengthwise axis at the mold support, a frame, an oscillation drive anchored at said frame, said oscillation drive including a connecting rod, an oscillation lever operatively engaging with the mold, means for pivotably mounting the oscillation lever at the mold support for pivotable movement about a pivot axis, said connecting rod being hingedly connected with the oscillation drive, means providing a hinge connection of the oscillation lever with the connecting rod and arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support that during upward rocking of the mold support the pivotal movement of the oscillation lever relative to the mold support, and which pivotal movement is dependent upon the momentary standstill position of the mold within the oscillation stroke, is located within the range of the oscillation stroke of the mold.
 1. A continuous casting installation comprising a mold support, means for mounting the mold support to be upwardly pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis out of a casting position, a mold guided in the direction of its lengthwise axis at the mold support, a frame, an oscillation drive anchored at said frame, said oscillation drive including a connecting rod, an oscillation lever operatively engaging with the mold, means for pivotably mounting the oscillation lever at the mold support for pivotable movement about a pivot axis, said connecting rod being hingedly connected with the oscillation drive, means providing a hinge connection of the oscillation lever with the connecting rod and arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivot axis of the mold support that during upward rocking of the mold support the pivotal movement of the oscillation lever relative to the mold support, and which pivotal movement is dependent upon the momentary standstill position of the mold within the oscillation stroke, is located within the range of the oscillation stroke of the mold.
 2. The continuous casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinge connection of the connecting rod with the oscillation lever is arranged within the spacing between the pivot axis of the mold support and the pivot axis of the oscillation lever, so that the oscillation stroke of the connecting rod-hinge connection is located above the pivot axis of the mold support.
 3. The continuous casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinge connection of the connecting rod with the oscillation lever is arranged externally of the spacing between the pivot axis of the mold support and the pivot axis of the oscillation lever, so that the oscillation stroke of the connecting rod-hinge connection extends beneath the pivot axis of the mold support. 